DStv Premiership: Orlando Pirates Holds Off TS Galaxy for Eighth Successive Victory

• Orlando Pirates continued their excellent run of recent form in league and cup form lately
• The Buccaneers claimed a crucial 2-1 victory in the DStv Premiership against TS Galaxy in Nelspruit on Sunday
• This timely victory moved them back into second place as the race for the runners-up finish reaches its climax

It was mission accomplished for Orlando Pirates on Sunday as they consolidated second place in the Premiership ahead of the Nedbank Cup semi-final, with a 2-1 league win over TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium.

Courtesy of the timely victory, Pirates lead the third-placed SuperSport United by two points. For Galaxy, though, it was a missed opportunity to jump up to eighth on the log as this result meant they remained rooted in 12th with 31 points, two behind the eighth-placed Royal AM.

Terrence Dzvukamanja continuing with his fine form in front of goal after heading home Kabelo Dlamini corner-kick as early as the second minute. Pirates nearly doubled their lead in no time after Deon Hotto’s cut back took a huge deflection from Given Msimango before the resultant effort bounced against the upright and back into play.

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The Kaizer Chiefs-bound Msimango levelled matters with a flicked effort from the far post after a delightful corner from Lindokuhle Mbatha. Pirates will feel hard done that they went into the break level with the hosts, having dominated possession for the better part of the first half, with their only blemish failing to create clear-cut scoring chances.

And while the Bucs dominated the lion’s share of possession, Galaxy had whipped in some dangerous crosses from the left flank, with Ebrahim Seedat and Yamil Rodriguez being their dangermen. Seedat did eventually find Kamogelo Sebelebele with an inch-perfect cross, but the latter headed towards Nkosinathi Sibisi whose block was deemed to have come off his elbow by Galaxy’s bench. But referee Olani Kwinda turned away Galaxy’s shout for a penalty – which resulted in an exchange of words between the two dugouts before Msimango ensured that both sides were level at the break.

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Pirates restored their lead early in their second half, though, as Monnapule Saleng’s corner-kick found Tapelo Xoki who headed towards goal before his effort was also flicked towards goal by Nkosinathi Sibisi. That resultant header found an unmarked Hotto on the far-post as he finished off the move by beating Melusi Buthelezi on his near post – to ensure that Pirates led for the better part of the second half as they won the game.

Pirates had nervy moments late in the second half, though, as No 1 Sipho Chaine spent some time on the floor, before he eventually finished the game, while Saleng failed to round off Buthelezi. In the end, though, Pirates kept their cool to continue with their winning streak – making it eight wins in eight matches – as they built a solid foundation in search of their respective targets in the later stages of the season.